Voters turn out early for meaningful primary

Some cross party lines, including longtime Republican who casts a ballot for Â?lesser of two evilsÂ?

Some cross party lines, including longtime Republican who casts a ballot for Â?lesser of two evilsÂ?

May 06, 2008|By BILL MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND Â? The sun was shining, the temperature was rising and the voters were coming at a steady flow during the morning hours at German TownshipÂ?s 1st Precinct at the fire station on Portage Road.

"We had 15 or 20 people already waiting to vote when we started at 6 a.m.," said precinct sheriff Irv Staszewski.

Standing out in the dark.

But few people seemed to be in the dark about the process.

"I think we only had one person so far complain that she couldnÂ?t vote for both Democrats and Republicans today," poll inspector Dick Wesoski said. "Most people understand you can only vote for one party in the primary."

And it seemed to the poll workers at German Township that more voters than usual were choosing to vote on the Democratic ticket.

"Some people we know who are strong Republicans are voting Democrat today," sheriff Sue Snyder said.

There are different reasons for the crossover, of course Â? few competitive races on the Republican ticket, very close and significant battles on the Democratic side and maybe the hope to get the more beatable candidates to go against the Republican winners come November.

"I usually always vote Republican," said 77-year-old Henry Koester. "But IÂ?m voting Democrat today. IÂ?m not sure John (McCain) can win after eight years of (President George) Bush and so IÂ?m voting for who I think is the lesser of two evils on the Democratic side."

At this particular polling place, the young worked beside the veterans.

Phyllis Barkley, who has worked the polls for more than 50 years, was one precinct judge and 17-year-old Mark Flora, an Adams High School student, was the other judge.

"IÂ?m not old enough to vote yet, but IÂ?m learning a lot about it," Flora said. "She (Barkley) is great to work with and to help me know whatÂ?s going on."

Barkley was going to wait to vote until later in the day but said she was going for Hillary Clinton for president and Jill Long Thompson for governor.

"ItÂ?s time for some women," she said. "You men have been in charge for about 2,000 years, and weÂ?re ready for a change."

By 9 a.m., almost 200 voters had gone through this German Township precinct.

"Everybody seems in a good mood and happy to be out here voting," Wesoski added.